Container and hoop construction



Feb. 23, 1937. 5. SMITH CONTAINER AND HOOP CONSTRUCTION 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed March 2, 1933 Feb. 23, 1937.

5-. SMITH 2,071,662

CONTAINER AND HOOP CONSTRUCTION Filed March 2, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Swan Smi Lh WW4 075 M Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Swan Smith, White Bear, Minn., assignor to David C. Shepard, St. Paul, Minn.

Application March 2,

8 Claims.

My invention relates to container and hoop construction and has for its object to provide a construction which may be manufactured at an economical cost.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a construction which will be extremely rigid and substantial and effectively serve the desired purpose.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a laminated hoop for use in conjunction with a container having a conical wall, which hoop may be formed without waste of material.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the hoop from a. straight tapered strip of flexible material such as paper or the like.

An object of the invention resides in the method of forming the hoop which consists in winding the tapered strip of paper upon a tapered mandrel commencing with the narrow end of the strip and retaining one edge of the strip in the plane of one of the ends of the hoop to cause the other edge of the strip to progress toward the other end of the hoop.

A feature of the invention resides in starting the narrower end of the strip at the end of the mandrel having the lesser diameter and in causing the tapered edge of. the strip to progressively advance toward the end of the mandrel having the larger diameter.

An object of the invention resides in providing a hoop having a conical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface.

Another object of the invention resides in the method of forming hoops which consists in unwinding a thin strip of flexible material of the width of the maximum length of the hoop, in cutting the strip lengthwise during the unwinding thereof and shifting the line of cut from one edge of the strip to the other during the unwinding of the strip to form two portions, in attaching the narrow portion of the strip to a mandrel and winding the same about the mandrel, in attaching the wider portion of the strip to a reel and winding the same about the reel simultaneously with the formation of the hoop and in subsequently attaching the outer end of the reeled portion of the strip to a mandrel to form a second hoop from such portion of the strip.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing means attached to and carried by the hoop for securing a cover to the container.

A feature of the invention resides in employ- 1933, Serial No. 659,270

ing fasteners having parts lying between the outer surface of the wall of the container and the outer laminations of the hoop.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the fasteners with laterally extending parts 5 adapted to anchor the fastener with respect to the hoop and with portions forming eyes projecting outwardly beyond the lower end of the hoop.

Another object of the invention resides in the method of applying the fasteners to the hoop which consists in laying the fasteners upon a partly formed hoop with the eyes thereof projecting outwardly beyond the end of the hoop and in winding the remainder of the strip upon the previously formed part of the hoop so as to imbed the fastener within the hoop.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the fastener with prongs adapted to extend into the hoop and to hold the fastener attached thereto.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container with the cover removed illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hoop utilized with the container shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the method of forming the hoop illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the container shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the cover attached thereto.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 of a hoop illustrating another form of fastener attached thereto.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the fasteners used with the hoop shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the fasteners used with the hoop shown. in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modification of the fastener shown in Fig. 9.

In the construction of laminated containers, considerable difficulty has been encountered where a hoop has been employed in causing the hoop to fit the conical body of the container and likewise the cylindrical flange of the cover 55 thereof. At the same time, difliculty has been encountered in securing the cover to the container proper. The present invention provides a simple and practical container and hoop construction, whereby these disadvantages are entirely eliminated.

For the purpose of illustrating the application of my invention, I have shown in Fig. l a container A which may be constructed in any suitable manner. This container is open at the top as designated at it and consists of a conical wall ll having any suitable bottom construction attached thereto, which is not shown in the drawings. The open end it of this container is adapted to be closed through a cover i2 (Fig. 2) which consists of a plam'form portion i3 extending across the open end of the container and a flange M depending downwardly from the portion l3. The flange it extends at rightangles to the plane of the planiform portion l3 and is spaced from the container proper. Encircling the upper part of the conical wall H of the container is a hoop I 5 which is formed with a conical inner surface it adapted to fit against the outer conical surface ll of the wall H of the container. 'Ilus hoop is further constructed with an outer cylindrical surface 53 adapted to fit against the inner cylindrical surface it; of the flange is. These various parts will now be described in detail.

The container proper A may be constructed of sheets of flexible material such as paper or the like, secured one to the other to form the wall structure 1!. The cover l2 may be similarly constructed from sheets arranged in overlying relation and glued together, the flange 14 being pressed outwardly from the planiform portion I 3 through suitable dies. However, any other construction may be used in the formation of these parts of the container, the particular construction thereof forming no particular feature of this invention.

The hoop I5 is constructed from a strip of thin flexible material such as paper or the like. The method of constructing this hoop can best be comprehended from Fig. 4, which diagrammatically illustrates a device by means of which the hoop may be formed. A roll of paper 2! consisting of a strip 26 of a width equal to the height of the hoop as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 and of suitable length to form a sunicient number of convolutions to build up one or more hoops of the desired thickness is reeled upon a core 2| carried by a spindle 22. This strip 26 of paper passes through a rotary shear 23 which consists of two rotary cutters 24 and 25 which are driven to cut the strip of paper 26 which is unwound from the roll 20 lengthwise thereof. This divides the said strip 26 into two portions 2? and 28 which are separated from one another. The shear 23 is mounted to travel laterally of the strip 26 and is originally placed near the forward edge of the strip as viewed in Fig. 4, and moves toward the rear edge of the strip as the strip is unwound from the roll. At the start the portion 21 is the narrow portion of the strip. This portion is run over a gluing roll 29 which picks up glue or other adhesive from a glue receptacle 3i and coats the under surface of the portion 2'! of the strip. The extreme end 3! of the portion 2'! is placed beneath a finger 32 attached to a mandrel 33 which is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 3d and driven in any suitable manner. As the mandrel 33 turns, the strip 2'! is wound upon said mandrel and the various convolutions formed, wound one upon the other and simultaneously glued together. The mandrel 33 is constructed with a conical surface 35 which has the same taper as the surface of the wall I l of the container A. The strip 22' is secured to mandrel 33 at the end thereof having the lesser diameter and the forward edge of the strip 27 is maintained in the plane of the lower end of the hoop during the winding of the strip upon the mandrel. Due to the fact that the shear 23 is moved across the strip, the cut edge thereof forms the portion 2? with a taper and the said edge progresses along the mandrel 33 toward the end thereof having the larger diameter.

At the same time the portion 2'! is attached to the mandrel 23, the wider end of the portion 28 which I have indicated at 35, is similarly attached under a finger 3? to a reel 38 mounted upon a shaft 39. This reel is so driven that the portion 28 of strip 26 is simultaneously wound upon said reel as the mandrel 33 rotates and the hoop proper is being formed. When the shear 23 runs off from the width of the strip of paper 2?, the portion 28 terminates and the shaft 39 is stopped. The strip 26 is then fed upon the tapered portion of the hoop until the upper end of the hoop is of sufiicient thickness. After such thickness has been procured, the strip 26 is out and the hoop is completed, taking the form shown in Fig. 3. In this manner a hoop is formed from a continuous strip of paper, or similar material, without curving the strip, forming a. finished hoop as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with a tapered inner surface It and a cylindrical outer surface M. By properly selecting the angle of taper of the cut edge of the strip the taper of the inner surface It of the hoop can be made of any desired angle to fit the angle of taper of the conical surface I! of the wall H of the container. width any thickness of hoop desired can be constructed.

After the hoop has been constructed from the portion 21 of strip 26 and completed, the same may be removed from the mandrel 33. Thereafter the end of the portion 28 last wound upon the reel 38 is passed through a similar gluing device and wound upon a mandrel similar to the mandrel 33, excepting that said second-named mandrel is left-handed as compared to the mandrel 33, the portion thereof of lesser diameter being disposed at the opposite end of the mandrel. When the shear 23 leaves the edge of the strip 26, the narrow part of the portion 28 is formed which is outermost on the ree1 38. This portion of the strip is hence ready to be immediately used to form another hoop. The procedure then continues with the portion 28 in identically the same manner as the portion 2'! and another hoop is formed in identically the same manner.

In order to give sufficient thickness to the thinner end of the hoop, a portion of the sheet 26 of the full width of said strip is first wound upon the reel 38 before the shear 23 is brought into action. When a suflicient amount of the strip of full width has been wound from this reel, shear 23 is caused to engage the strip. At such instance, the portion 21 is formed which is utilized as previously described to form a hoop. After both hoops have been formed, the procedure is again repeated and other pairs of hoops constructed in like manner. It will readily be comprehended with this invention that the hoops may be constructed from rolls of paper or similar ma- Also by utilizing the strip of full 1 terial and without waste. At the same time hoops may be formed with a conical inner surface to engage the conical surface of the container and with a cylindrical outer surface to engage the I cylindrical flange of the cover.

Where the container and hoop construction is constructed as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the cover l2. may be secured to the container proper in any desired manner. If wished, wires may be strung across the container and twisted underneath the lowermost edge 40 of the hoop l 5 to hold the cover in place. If desired, fasteners may be directly secured to the hoop and particularly while the same are being constructed. One such form of fastener is shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8 which may be applied to the hoop after the same has been completed. This fastener is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 47. The fastener 41 is preferably constructed of wire which is bent to form an eye 42 and to provide two elongated parallel portions 43 and 44 extending outwardly therefrom. The ends of these portions are bent to form prongs 45 and 46 which are preferably sharpened at their ends and which extend at right angles to a plane containing the elongated portions 43 and 44. The fasteners 41 are applied to the inner surface 16 of hoop I5 by forcing the prongs 45 and 46 through the body of the hoop toward the exterior surface It of the hoop. When the fastener has been properly applied the elongated portions 43 and 44 lie along the inner surface I6 of the hoop and the eye 42 projects outwardly therefrom. In the application of the hoop to the container, the same is slipped over the bottom of the container and forced into place over the marginal portion of Wall structure I I at the open end of the container. As the hoop is forced in place the elongated portions 43 and 44 of fastener 41 are wedged in between the surfaces l6 and H of the hoop and wall structure of the container and through the action of prongs 45 and 46 held firmly attached to the hoop.

In order to hold the cover l2 in place upon the container, a wire 48 is employed which is threaded through the various eyes 42 and extended across the planiform portion I3 of the cover as indicated at 49 and 5|]. The ends 5| and 52 of this wire are twisted together as designated at 53, serving to hold the wire in proper position. In Fig. 5 I have shown three fasteners as utilized, though it can readily be comprehended that any number of fasteners may be employed. Likewise the wire 48 may extend across the top in any suitable manner instead of in the particular manner illustrated so long as the said wires operate to hold the cover applied to the container. Where an even number of fasteners are used, wires may, if desired, extend across the middle of the cover. As the ends 5| and 52 of the wire 48 are twisted, the eyes 42 are brought against the under side 40 of the hoop l5 and take the position shown in Fig. 6.

As previously stated the fasteners may be imbedded in the hoop as the same is constructed. In Figs. '7 and 9 I have illustrated such construction. The fastener used with this form of the invention is shown in Fig. 9 and is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 54. This fastener is constructed of wire similar to the fastener 41 and is formed with an eye 55 similar to the eye 42. From this eye issue two elongated portions 56 and 51 which terminate in lateral portions 58 and 59 disposed in substantial alignment with respect to one another and disposed substantially in the plane of the two planiform portions 56 and 51.

After a suitable length of the portion 27 of strip 26 has been wound upon the mandrel 33. the various fasteners 54 are placed in proper position upon the partly formed hoop and the winding of the strip continued. The lateral portions 58 and 59 are preferably arranged at the cut edge of the strip which forms shoulders for holding these parts of the fasteners from movement. After the hoop is completed the elongated portions 56 and 51 in the fastener become imbedded between laminations or convolutions of the hoop while the eyes 55 project outwardly be yond the lower edge 40 of the hoop. When the hoop shown in Fig. 7 is forced upon the end of the container portions 58 and 59 of the various fasteners are wedged in between the outer surface H of the Wall structure 10 and the inner surface l6 of hoop l5. This causes the fasteners to become securely anchored to the container and hoop construction.

For convenience in assembly, the portions 58 and 59 of adjoining fasteners may be connected together. In Fig. 10 a device of such construction is shown having fasteners 60, BI and 62 constructed identically the same as the fasteners 54 with portions 63 and 64 connecting the same and with end portions 65 and 66 between the fasteners 66 and 52. These end portions may overlap if desired. The structure shown in Fig. 10 may be unwound from a suitable reel and simultaneously imbedded in between the laminations of the hoop as the strip from which the hoop is constructed is being wound upon the mandrel. When the desired number of fasteners have been unwound to completely encircle the hoop, the Wire from which the fasteners is constructed is cut off and the feeding of fasteners discontinued.

In describing my invention I have particularly referred to the utilization of the invention to form a hoop with a conical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface. It can. however, be readily comprehended that the reverse may be also procured. Also a hoop may be constructed having two conical inner or outer surfaces extending in opposite directions. I have also referred to the hoop as being formed on a mandrel. If desired. the strip from which the hoop is constructed may be directly wound upon the end of the container on which it is to be employed and thereby firmly secured to the container at the same time the container is built up.

My invention is highly advantageous in that an extremely rigid and substantial construction is formed. The hoops may be constructed entirely without waste of material and from stock readily available for the purpose. My invention may be constructed in a simple and expeditious manner without the necessity of complicated machinery. The hoop may be constructed from a continuous strip of material eliminating the necessity of cutting arcuate sheets adapted to be individually handled and applied to form the ultimate structure. My improved hoop fits both the conical outer surface of the container as well as the cylindrical inner surface of the flange of the cover. In this manner a tight connection is formed between the container and cover. Where a fastener is utilized extending beneath the lower edge of the hoop a greater area is presented for engagement with the fastener thereby making the fastening of the cover to such form of receptacle more secure. With my invention fasteners can be secured to the hoop during the formation thereof whereby the construction of the container is simplified and the fastening of the cover to the container made extremely simple and practical.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A hoop constructed of convolutions of athin flexible material secured one upon the other, said convolutions differing in width, the narrowest of said convolutions being disposed upon the interior of the hoop and corresponding edges of each of the convolutions lying in a plane containing one end of the hoop.

2. In combination with a container having a conical wall, a laminated hoop therefor having a conical inner surface for engagement with the outer surface of the conical wall of the container, a fastener having a portion lying between the outer surface of the conical wall of the container and the outer laminations of the hoop, said fastener having members imbedded within the structure of the hoop and an eye projecting outwardly beyond the lower edge of the hoop.

3. In combination with a container open at one end and a cover therefor, a hoop encircling the open end of the container, said hoop having attached to it means projecting from the lower edge thereof and providing a number of downwardly projecting eyes, and means extending through said eyes for engaging said cover for holding the cover attached to the container.

4. In combination with a container open at one end and a cover therefor, a laminated hoop encircling the open end of the container and a plurality of fasteners therefor, each of said fasteners being formed at one end with an eye and at the other end with prongs and elongated portions connecting said eye with said prongs. said elongated portions being disposed between the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the hoop and the prongs of said fasteners being imbedded in said hoop.

5. In combination, a container having a conical wall open at its larger end to form said wall with a free edge, a hoop constructed of convolutions of a thin flexible material secured one upon the other and attached to the outer surfaces of said wall at its larger end, said convolutions differing in width, the narrowest of said convolutions being disposed adjacent the wall inwardly of the free edge thereof and each other convolution overlapping the adjacent inner convolution and extending beyond the same toward the free edge of the container and engaging the outer surface of the wall of the container at a locality closer to the free edge thereof than the locality of engagement of the adjacent inner convolution with said wall.

6. In combination, a container having a conical wall open at its larger end, a hoop constructed with convolutions of a thin flexible material secured one upon the other and attached to the outer surface of said wall at its larger end, said convolutions differing in width and overlapping one another, the overlapping portions of said convolutions being directly secured to the wall of the container.

7. In combination, a container having a circular wall open at one end, a hoop encircling said wall at the open end thereof, a fastener comprising a loop, two vertically extending reaches issuing upwardly from the loop, two horizontally extending reaches issuing from the upper ends of the vertical reaches, said last-named reaches and the upper parts of the first-named reaches being imbedded in the container and disposed at a locality between the outer surface of the wall of the container and the outer surface of the hoop, to cause the loop to project downwardly from the lowermost edge of the hoop, a cover for said container, and means on said cover for engagement with said loop.

8. A hoop constructed from a continuous strip of a thin flexible material wound upon itself to form convolutions secured one upon the other, said convolutions differing in width, the narrowest of said convolutions being disposed upon the interior of the hoop.

SWAN SMITH. 

